by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 5: The 48-kilometre Jalan Serian-Tebedu road upgrade project is expected to cost RM1 billion, said Deputy Minister of Works, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
According to a report by TVS, he explained that the cost includes upgrading the road from two lanes to four lanes as well as the construction of 10 new bridges.
However, he pointed out that the initial cost estimate will only be finalised after the preliminary work on the project is completed by the end of 2026.
“The preliminary work involves surveying work worth RM5 million, civil and structural design (CNS) RM5.9 million, environmental work RM500,000, traffic study RM300,000 and road safety audit RM800,000.
“Once these works are completed by the end of 2026 or earlier, we will obtain the actual cost estimate for the project. Then, a valuation will be done with the Ministry of Economy to determine the actual cost.
“The cost is more than RM500 million, maybe up to RM1 billion,” he was quoted as saying in the Dewan Rakyat today, responding to a question from Datuk Seri Dr Richard Riot Jaem (Gabungan Parti Sarawak – Serian) who wanted to know the actual amount needed to upgrade Jalan Serian-Tebedu.
Meanwhile, responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN–Langkawi) on reports of poor road quality and 29 landslides in Sarawak, Ahmad Maslan said the Ministry of Works (KKR) closely monitors building materials and structures to ensure road durability.
He said the ministry also allocates funds for slope and landslide repairs, both preventive and post-incident, while project categories and priorities are determined based on the state government’s assessment through the State Economic Planning Unit (UPEN). – DayakDaily
